Military bases

Popshot · Post by **Popshot** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 12:33 pm

Taking firearms onto military bases has some complexity. Here is what happened to me. YMMV.

Recently, we went to Austin, Texas to visit the Texas Military Forces Museum which is on the grounds of Camp Mabry of the Texas Army Guard. My wife's dad served in the 36th Division in WWII and she wanted to see the museum and to ask the staff about donations of some small, but interesting items he left her. This museum has high value (lots of stuff and interested volunteers to teach you) and it's free!

I knew that firearms were an issue on a military base, but I was not sure how things would go, so I unloaded my pistol and locked it in the vehicle before we got there. At the check point, since they determined that I was not military, I was sent a secondary check point. They politely asked for photo ID and then asked to view items in the bed of the truck. When the guard saw a rifle case (for my Ruger 77/22), she asked if I had concealed handgun license and I produced that ID. She relaxed and asked if I had everything seperated, which I replied "Yes, Ma'am." She happily sent us on our way.

kauboy · Post by **kauboy** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:48 pm

Interesting. I was under the impression that guns were not allowed in a military installation, period. Excellent experience, but can this type of response be expected elsewhere?

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:08 pm

YMMV is an understatement...

I think its great that they at least gave you the common courtesy while visiting the museum on their base...

This is the only instance I have seen where this has happened...

I suspect that for any other military facility it would be more trouble than I'd be willing to endure...Plus those Federal codes cover it all without even broaching the military rules and regulation barriers...

When I was stationed out in California, I had friends that were married and or lived off base, that I kept any firearms I had with me at the time over at their place...They were always locked up away from anyone in an upright locker...Or I'd have them in a storage facility off base...This was in the mid 80's...

KBCraig · Post by **KBCraig** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:36 pm

kauboy wrote:Interesting. I was under the impression that guns were not allowed in a military installation, period.

That's widely assumed, but it's not true. Every installation commander is free to set his own policy.

But remember, Camp Mabry is not a federal installation. This is a camp of the TxNG; it is owned by the state of Texas, and so they can't prohibit firearms.

Kevin

kauboy · Post by **kauboy** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:58 pm

Well, thanks for that info KB. I guess the proper avenue would be to call ahead and verify, huh?

Kalrog · Post by **Kalrog** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:05 pm

KBCraig wrote:But remember, Camp Mabry is not a federal installation. This is a camp of the TxNG; it is owned by the state of Texas, and so they can't prohibit firearms.

And also remember that at the north end of Camp Mabry is a federal USN reserve center that IS federal property. So be careful where you go in that neck of the woods.

I actually attended classes at that reserve center for a couple of years before I graduated and Park changed their certifications and moved.

GrillKing · Post by **GrillKing** » Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:48 pm

Kalrog wrote:
KBCraig wrote:But remember, Camp Mabry is not a federal installation. This is a camp of the TxNG; it is owned by the state of Texas, and so they can't prohibit firearms.
And also remember that at the north end of Camp Mabry is a federal USN reserve center that IS federal property. So be careful where you go in that neck of the woods.

The federal area is well marked and fenced.

Now for a shameless plug for the Texas State Guard, one of the 3 components of the Texas Military Forces (Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard). The State Guard augments the National Guard for State missions (no overseas deployments). It also has a role in addition to the National Guard for Disaster Assistance, Texas Homeland Security, etc.

TXSG provides occasional CHL classes for itself, the National and State Guard as well as civilian employees of the Adjutant General's Department for $30. Plus the DPS fee is only $70. TXSG also gets free hunting and fishing licenses (except for federal waterfowl stamps).

So, if you are prior service or not and want an opportunity to serve, let me know and I can get you all the details. The organization is really coming together and enjoys the support of the Adjutant General, LTG Rodriguez and of the Commander in Chief, Rick Perry.

I spent a month during Katrina / Rita in SE and Central Texas with the TXSG and consider it a privilege to give something back to the State.